https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog Wine notes, guides and event stories by sommelier Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite. en-GB https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/6-english-wines-that-caught-my-attention-at-winegbhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/6-english-wines-that-caught-my-attention-at-winegbWed, 30 Sep 2026 16:20:16 GMTEnglish WineThere is so much happening in English wine at the moment, and what I love is the variety. It’s not just English sparkling wine anymore. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/babylonstoren-the-winemaker-who-accidentally-ended-up-making-wine-platinum-magazine-september-2https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/babylonstoren-the-winemaker-who-accidentally-ended-up-making-wine-platinum-magazine-september-2Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:13:29 GMTArticles & PressThere is something rather reassuring about people who find their purpose by accident. When I met Danielle, one of the young winemakers behind South African icon… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/is-this-one-of-the-best-steaks-in-the-basque-country-casa-julián-tolosahttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/is-this-one-of-the-best-steaks-in-the-basque-country-casa-julián-tolosaMon, 21 Sep 2026 16:25:01 GMTWine & TravelI’ve eaten a lot of steak. But the one we had at Casa Julián in Tolosa, Basque Country, is going to be difficult to forget. If you’re visiting San Sebastián and love… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/is-this-the-best-place-to-drink-turkish-wine-in-london-kismet-london-reviewhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/is-this-the-best-place-to-drink-turkish-wine-in-london-kismet-london-reviewSun, 06 Sep 2026 16:39:13 GMTWine & TravelSome restaurants stay with you because of a single dish. Others because of a memorable bottle of wine. Kismet manages to do both. Hidden upstairs at The Globe Tavern,… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-luxury-day-trip-from-london-to-bath-the-belmond-british-pullmanhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-luxury-day-trip-from-london-to-bath-the-belmond-british-pullmanWed, 26 Aug 2026 10:03:21 GMTWine & TravelCould this be the most glamorous day trip from London? For many of us, travel has become about getting somewhere as quickly as possible. Airports, traffic, packed… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-winemaker-who-found-freedom-in-english-wine-platinum-magazine-august-2026https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-winemaker-who-found-freedom-in-english-wine-platinum-magazine-august-2026Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMTArticles & PressCara-Lee Dely is the head winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate in Haywards Heath, but her wine story began not in a vineyard but on aeroplanes. Cara-Lee’s father was an… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/margate-kent-the-shoreditch-by-the-sea-coastal-escape-you-need-to-visithttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/margate-kent-the-shoreditch-by-the-sea-coastal-escape-you-need-to-visitSun, 16 Aug 2026 15:34:56 GMTWine & TravelIf you’re looking for a UK coastal escape that swaps traditional seaside clichés for natural wine bars, independent restaurants, stylish hotels and seriously good… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-prosecco-everything-you-need-to-know-about-italy-s-favourite-sparkling-winehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-prosecco-everything-you-need-to-know-about-italy-s-favourite-sparkling-wineThu, 13 Aug 2026 08:20:36 GMTTips & GuidesWhether you’re choosing a bottle for a celebration, searching for the perfect gift, planning a wedding toast or simply trying to understand what’s actually inside your… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-is-acidity-in-winehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-is-acidity-in-wineWed, 05 Aug 2026 14:44:58 GMTTips & GuidesAcidity, what is it? Acidity is that tart, sour sensation that makes your mouth water. Imagine drinking a glass of water with fresh lemon juice. It's bright, zesty,… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-best-rosé-wines-to-sip-your-way-through-summerhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-best-rosé-wines-to-sip-your-way-through-summerSun, 19 Jul 2026 15:12:48 GMTTips & GuidesLet’s be honest, rosé has a bit of a reputation. For some people, it’s the “easy” wine. The bottle you grab for a barbecue, a picnic or a sunny afternoon because it… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-the-best-networking-events-give-people-something-to-do-not-just-someone-to-talk-tohttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-the-best-networking-events-give-people-something-to-do-not-just-someone-to-talk-toThu, 16 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMTCorporate TastingsWe've all been to networking events that feel... hard work. You walk into a room full of people, collect a drink, glance around, and hope someone starts a… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/3-italian-wine-upgrades-that-offer-better-qualityhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/3-italian-wine-upgrades-that-offer-better-qualityWed, 15 Jul 2026 14:18:48 GMTTips & GuidesIf you're looking to drink better Italian wine without necessarily spending more, here's one of the simplest tips you'll ever learn. Begin searching for historic place… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-new-hackney-restaurant-every-food-and-wine-lover-needs-to-know-about-teal-by-sally-abéhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-new-hackney-restaurant-every-food-and-wine-lover-needs-to-know-about-teal-by-sally-abéMon, 13 Jul 2026 11:14:53 GMTRestaurant ReviewsThis might be one of London's most exciting restaurant openings of 2026. If you're searching for the best new restaurants in Hackney, Teal by Sally Abé deserves a… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-does-minerality-mean-in-wine-why-i-prefer-to-call-it-saltyhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-does-minerality-mean-in-wine-why-i-prefer-to-call-it-saltySat, 11 Jul 2026 16:04:44 GMTTips & GuidesIf you've ever heard someone describe a wine as mineral and wondered what they actually meant, you're not alone. Minerality is one of the most common, and most… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-exmouth-market-restaurant-serving-london-s-most-talked-about-burger-vesper-by-jackson-boxer-rehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-exmouth-market-restaurant-serving-london-s-most-talked-about-burger-vesper-by-jackson-boxer-reThu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:18 GMTRestaurant ReviewsIf you're searching for the best new restaurants in London, the best restaurants in Exmouth Market, or whether Vesper by Jackson Boxer is worth visiting, the short… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/4-italian-white-wine-upgrades-that-offer-better-qualityhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/4-italian-white-wine-upgrades-that-offer-better-qualityMon, 06 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMTWine & TravelIf you're looking to drink better Italian white wine without necessarily spending more, here's one of the simplest tips you'll ever learn. Begin searching for historic… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-to-pair-with-chablishttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/what-to-pair-with-chablisSun, 05 Jul 2026 09:30:50 GMTTips & GuidesIf you've ever stood in front of the wine shelf wondering what to serve with seafood, roast chicken or even caviar, let me introduce you to one of my favourite wines:… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/one-of-soho-s-best-dinner-spots-egyptian-flavours-the-perfect-negroni-at-impalahttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/one-of-soho-s-best-dinner-spots-egyptian-flavours-the-perfect-negroni-at-impalaFri, 03 Jul 2026 12:38:52 GMTWine & TravelSoho has a way of pulling you into its rhythm the moment you arrive. An evening at Impala Soho captures that energy perfectly, bold, characterful, and effortlessly… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-best-french-wine-swaps-for-better-quality-and-valuehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-best-french-wine-swaps-for-better-quality-and-valueWed, 01 Jul 2026 08:02:51 GMTTips & GuidesIf you're looking for the best French wines for value, here's a tip that could transform the way you shop. Stop buying the most famous bottle. One of the biggest… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/taste-of-london-2026-pouring-chablis-with-wines-of-bourgognehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/taste-of-london-2026-pouring-chablis-with-wines-of-bourgogneFri, 26 Jun 2026 16:09:18 GMTWine & TravelI recently spent a fantastic few days at Taste of London, working on the Wines of Bourgogne stand alongside Harry Crowther, introducing visitors to one of France's… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-blind-wine-tastings-are-the-secret-to-better-networking-eventshttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-blind-wine-tastings-are-the-secret-to-better-networking-eventsWed, 24 Jun 2026 13:27:59 GMTCorporate TastingsThe problem with a lot of networking events is that they make the guests do all the work. They’re the ones expected to engage and keep the energy up. But it doesn’t… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/english-wine-week-2026-why-this-could-be-one-of-the-most-important-vintages-yethttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/english-wine-week-2026-why-this-could-be-one-of-the-most-important-vintages-yetWed, 24 Jun 2026 12:45:03 GMTEnglish WineEnglish Wine Week feels particularly fitting this year. As temperatures soar across the UK, many of us are searching for shade, cold drinks and any excuse to avoid the… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-smart-way-to-discover-fine-wine-through-premium-wine-samples-tiny-wine-coravinhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-smart-way-to-discover-fine-wine-through-premium-wine-samples-tiny-wine-coravinSun, 21 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMTWine & TravelWhat is Tiny Wine? Tiny Wine is changing the way people discover and enjoy fine wine by making premium wines more accessible through expertly preserved wine samples.… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/looking-for-a-wine-like-pinot-grigio-try-albariñohttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/looking-for-a-wine-like-pinot-grigio-try-albariñoThu, 18 Jun 2026 08:08:15 GMTWine & TravelIf Pinot Grigio is your usual go-to white wine, you’re not alone. It’s crisp, clean, refreshing and reliably easy to drink, the kind of bottle that’s quietly become a… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/my-top-4-restaurants-in-marylebone-a-londoner-s-wine-expert-s-guide-to-eating-well-in-marylebonehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/my-top-4-restaurants-in-marylebone-a-londoner-s-wine-expert-s-guide-to-eating-well-in-maryleboneTue, 16 Jun 2026 18:42:14 GMTTips & GuidesMarylebone has quietly become one of London’s most compelling dining neighbourhoods, elegant but unfussy, globally influenced yet distinctly local. For me, it’s one of… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/how-to-identify-old-vine-wines-on-a-bottle-label-why-old-vine-wines-matter-more-than-everhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/how-to-identify-old-vine-wines-on-a-bottle-label-why-old-vine-wines-matter-more-than-everThu, 11 Jun 2026 14:24:30 GMTWine & TravelDiscover what old vine wines are, why some of the world's oldest vineyards produce such distinctive wines, and how to identify genuine old vine wines on a bottle… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/how-to-identify-pinot-meunier-in-the-vineyardhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/how-to-identify-pinot-meunier-in-the-vineyardTue, 09 Jun 2026 15:34:55 GMTEnglish WineIf you’ve ever visited a vineyard and wondered how growers can tell grape varieties apart, you’re not alone. At first glance, many vines look remarkably similar. But… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-learn-about-wine-how-to-choose-better-bottles-and-build-confidence-in-what-you-drinkhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/why-learn-about-wine-how-to-choose-better-bottles-and-build-confidence-in-what-you-drinkThu, 04 Jun 2026 10:14:34 GMTTips & GuidesSo you don’t waste money (or calories) on bottles you won’t actually enjoy. Wine can feel intimidating at first, but it becomes far more enjoyable the moment you… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-different-side-of-napa-platinum-magazine-june-2026https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-different-side-of-napa-platinum-magazine-june-2026Fri, 29 May 2026 14:23:40 GMTArticles & PressWhen you think of Napa Valley, what image comes to mind? For me it’s the stunning rolling hills, lush vineyards, and Mediterranean-like climate of California that… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/rostrum-x-stem-stem-networking-event-for-40-guests-in-londonhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/rostrum-x-stem-stem-networking-event-for-40-guests-in-londonThu, 21 May 2026 13:36:00 GMTCorporate TastingsMost networking events don’t fail because people don’t attend. They fail because nothing in the room makes it easy for people to connect. That was the focus behind… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/corporate-team-wine-tasting-with-bank-of-new-york-bringing-global-teams-together-through-winehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/corporate-team-wine-tasting-with-bank-of-new-york-bringing-global-teams-together-through-wineWed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 GMTE&W EventsThere is something particularly special about working with returning clients. Last year, I had the pleasure of creating a rooftop Wine Safari for Bank of New York.… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-london-wine-expert-s-guide-to-rhs-chelsea-flower-show-where-to-drink-eat-and-explore-during-chelhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/a-london-wine-expert-s-guide-to-rhs-chelsea-flower-show-where-to-drink-eat-and-explore-during-chelTue, 19 May 2026 23:00:00 GMTTips & GuidesHere’s how to navigate Chelsea Flower Show season properly from the gardens worth your time to where to eat, drink and soak up the atmosphere afterwards. Chelsea… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/taylor-wessinghttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/taylor-wessingTue, 12 May 2026 10:50:14 GMTE&W EventsWhat Makes a Good Networking Event? Lessons from a Taylor Wessing Wine Series Most client events are pleasant. Very few are memorable. The problem isn't effort or… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/45-women-in-property-with-cynergy-bank-at-stem-stemhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/45-women-in-property-with-cynergy-bank-at-stem-stemMon, 11 May 2026 12:16:01 GMTCorporate TastingsI recently had the pleasure of hosting a daytime Women in Property networking event at Stem + Stem with guests from Cynergy Bank, and honestly, the daytime format… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/i-found-a-historic-wine-window-in-florence-it-was-every-bit-as-magical-as-i-hopedhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/i-found-a-historic-wine-window-in-florence-it-was-every-bit-as-magical-as-i-hopedSat, 09 May 2026 09:01:18 GMTWine & TravelCertain travel experiences feel quintessentially Italian. Drinking espresso standing at a bar. Wandering sun-drenched piazzas at golden hour. Ordering a plate of pasta… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/wine-news-the-2025s-have-landedhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/wine-news-the-2025s-have-landedThu, 07 May 2026 23:00:00 GMTWine & TravelIt's the moment of the year I love when the new vintage starts arriving on shelves and the spring has sprung. The 2025s are here, and there is a lot to get excited… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-great-british-fizz-why-english-sparkling-is-no-longer-the-underdog-platinum-magazinehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-great-british-fizz-why-english-sparkling-is-no-longer-the-underdog-platinum-magazineWed, 06 May 2026 11:07:10 GMTArticles & PressEnglish sparkling can rival Champagne. Here’s why. For the longest time, the idea that English sparkling wine could rival Champagne was unthinkable. But it has… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-oldest-wine-i-ve-ever-tasted-and-one-of-the-besthttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/the-oldest-wine-i-ve-ever-tasted-and-one-of-the-bestSun, 03 May 2026 23:00:00 GMTWine & TravelThe oldest wine I’ve ever tasted was a 1996 Vorberg from Cantina Terlan, nearly 30 years old, and it was, without exaggeration, one of the most remarkable white wines… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/should-you-put-ice-in-your-winehttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/should-you-put-ice-in-your-wineThu, 30 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMTTips & GuidesIt’s May… which means one thing: rosé season is officially ON. As soon as the weather shifts in the UK, search trends spike for rosé wine UK, summer wine ideas, and… https://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/budburst-at-the-weyborne-estate-west-sussexhttps://www.elizabethandwine.com/blog/budburst-at-the-weyborne-estate-west-sussexWed, 29 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMTEnglish WineBudburst at Weyborne Estate marks one of the most important moments in the English wine growing season, the point where the vineyard fully awakens after winter…